New research shows that the active ingredient in marijuana may prevent the progression of the disease by preserving levels of an important neurotransmitter that allows the brain to function.

Researchers found that marijuana’s active ingredient, THC, can prevent the neurotransmitter acetylcholine from breaking down more effectively than commercially marketed drugs. THC is also more effective at blocking clumps of protein that can inhibit memory and cognition in Alzheimer’s patients

[Read](http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15145917/ “Read the Story”) (Reuters via MSNBC)

Could this be Willie Nelson’s [defense](http://www.kxan.com/Global/story.asp?S=5433656&nav=menu73_4 “KXAN Article About Willie’s Most Recent Pot Bust”)?

Breastfed babies are smarter because their mothers are clever in the first place, not because of any advantage of breastfeeding itself, a study suggests.

Researchers found that mothers who breastfed tended to be more intelligent, and when this fact was taken into account, most of the relationship between breastfeeding and the child’s intelligence disappeared.

The researchers also stressed that there were still many other advantages to breastfeeding.

[Read](http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/5398738.stm “Read the Story”) (BBC)

By increasing the activity of platelets, blood cells that help clot the blood, smoking may weaken the anti-clotting effect of aspirin, new research suggests. Smokers were nearly 12-times more likely to be resistant to aspirin than were non-smokers.

[Read](http://abcnews.go.com/Health/wireStory?id=2519871 “Read the Story”) (Reuters via ABC)

[Black lung](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_lung “Wikipedia”) disease is posing a greater threat to coal miners in far southwest Virginia, and scientists arent sure why.

A report released by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that the number of cases of black lung disease is rising in Lee and Wise counties and that the cases are more severe.

Researchers examined 328, or 31 percent, of some 1,055 coal miners who were working underground in Lee and Wise in March and May of this year. They ranged in age from 21 to 63 and had worked in the mines for an average of 23 years.

Thirty of the miners had evidence of black lung, and 11 of the cases were advanced. The miners with the advanced cases had an average age of 51 and had spent an average of 31 years working in underground coal mines.

[Read](http://www.wtopnews.com/?nid=106&sid=882650 “Read the Story”) (AP via WTOP)

Walking may not be enough on its own to produce significant health benefits, research suggests.

Researchers compared a 10,000-step exercise program with a more traditional fitness regime of moderate intensity, and they found improvements in fitness levels were significantly higher in the second group. They told an American College of Sports Medicine meeting that gentle exercise was not enough to get fit.

[Read](http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/5371116.stm “Read the Story”) (BBC)

Target said it will match Wal-Mart’s $4 price on 150 generic drug presricptions in the Tampa Bay area. Target didn’t say whether it would keep pace with Wal-Mart’s plan to take the lower prices nationwide, but it did say it has a “long-standing practice to be price competitive with Wal-Mart.”

[Read](http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/retail/2006-09-21-walmart-drugs_x.htm?csp=34 “Read the Story”) (USA Today)

Smoking may also increase the risk of infection with HIV researchers said on Thursday. In a review of studies that looked at the association between smoking and HIV, British doctors said five of the six studies they analyzed showed smokers had a higher chance of becoming infected.

The theory is that tobacco smoke may increase susceptibility to HIV infection by modifying a variety of immune system responses.

[Read](http://abcnews.go.com/Health/wireStory?id=2472357 “Read the Story”) (Reuters via ABC)

Research has shown that strength training can help overweight adults lower their risk of diabetes, but what about teenagers? A small study found that overweight boys who lifted weights twice a week for four months lowered their risk for Type 2 diabetes without losing weight, a good sign that has inspired more research.

“We found this exercise to be very appealing because it’s easy and kids can succeed at it very quickly. They can see and feel results,” said obesity researcher Michael Goran of the University of Southern California, who led the study.

[Read](http://www.wtopnews.com/?nid=106&sid=919065 “Read the Story”) (AP via WTOP)

Wal-Mart said it will cut prices of 291 generic prescription drugs to $4 at its Wal-mart and Sam’s Club pharmacies in the Tampa area starting Friday, and they plan to expand the program to all of Florida and other states in January-2007.

Up to a 30-day supply of generic drugs will be available for $4 whether the customer has insurance or not. Customers with insurance will pay only $4, even if their co-pay is higher.

In a conference call with reporters, Bill Simon, Executive Vice President of Walmart’s Professional Services Division, said the generic drugs would not be sold at a loss to entice customers into the stores, a strategy that has been used in Wal-Mart’s toy business.

He said Wal-Mart is working with drugmakers to help them be more efficient, but added, “We are working with them as partners. We are not pressuring them to reduce prices.”

[Read](http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/retail/2006-09-21-walmart-drugs_x.htm?csp=34 “Read the Story”) (Reuters via USA Today)

Vitamin shots may help protect multiple sclerosis patients from severe long-term disability, a study suggests. Researchers cut the risk of nerve degeneration in mice with MS-type symptoms by giving them a form of vitamin B3 called nicotinamide.

[Read](http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/5356274.stm “Read the Story”) (BBC)

Music lessons can improve memory and learning ability in young children by encouraging different patterns of brain development, research shows. Canadian scientists compared children aged four to six who took music lessons for a year with those who did not.

They found the musical group performed better on a memory test also designed to assess general intelligence skills such as literacy and math ability. The researchers also measured changes in the childrens brain responses to sounds during the year, and they found changes developed in the musical group in as little as four months.

[Read](http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/5362670.stm “Read the Story”) (BBC)

Taking vitamin D tablets could substantially reduce the risk of pancreatic cancer, research suggests.

US scientists found taking the tablets cut the risk of a disease, which has a poor prognosis in almost half of cases.

[Read](http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/5334534.stm “Read the Story”) (BBC)

Use of marijuana and other drugs by baby boomers is increasing usage rates among older adults, while drug use among teenagers is declining, according to a national survey released 9/7. The use of illicit drugs, mainly marijuana, among baby boomers 50-59 rose 63% from 2002 to 2005.

[Read](http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2006-09-07-drug-use-report_x.htm?csp=34 “Read the Story”) (USA Today)

The next time youre asked, “Do you want to supersize that?” keep this in mind: Fast-food customers who order bigger meals consume about __500 calories more than they think__, a study finds.

“One of the big dangers of fast-food lunches is that we not only mindlessly overeat, but we mindlessly underestimate how much weve eaten,” says Brian Wansink, lead author of the study and director of Cornell Universitys Food and Brand Lab in Ithaca, N.Y.

[Read](http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2006-09-04-fast-food_x.htm?csp=34 “Read the Story”) (USA Today)